Jan Molby strongly believes Virgil van Dijk has the big personality to sort out Liverpool's wobbly defence - if only Southampton would sell to them.

The Reds approached the centre-back without Saints' permission earlier in the summer, leading to a grovelling apology.

Chairman Ralph Krueger yesterday emphatically said the Dutch international is staying at St Mary's, adding: “Nobody is for sale that we don't want to sell and so he is not for sale in this window."

However, van Dijk has handed in a transfer request, wanting a move to a bigger club, and Liverpool and Chelsea would be at the front of the queue if he forces a move.

But ex-midfielder Molby believes Southampton would rather deal with anyone else if they have to part company with van Dijk, given the summer shenanigans.

Southampton's Dutch defender Virgil van Dijk (Image: AFP)

In his column for the Liverpool Echo , he wrote: "With Virgil van Dijk, everybody now knows Southampton would rather sell to Chelsea, Arsenal or Manchester City than Liverpool, so I'm not convinced that will happen.

"The Southampton situation is strange. I don't know what we have done to upset Southampton to the fact they are being so stubborn about it.

"Southampton are a selling club, and it's not just Liverpool they sell to. They sell to everybody. They let their managers go to everybody.

"I still think we'll sign a few decent players before the transfer window shuts, but I'd like to see van Dijk, though. I really would. He looks Champions League level.